Wyandanch 'Night Out' to foster community bonds

Wyandanch will host its annual "Night Out" celebration Tuesday, one of thousands of anti-crime events held nationwide.

The event, which will run from 4 to 8 p.m. at Wyandanch Park on Mount Avenue, is designed to build bonds between the community and local law enforcement.

Dubbed “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” National Night Out events are sponsored by the nonprofit National Association of Town Watch. The events, which are typically held the first Tuesday in August, started in 1984 with 2.5 million Americans taking part across 400 communities, according to the organization’s website. National Night Out now includes 37 million people and 15,000 communities, the website stated.

The Wyandanch event is being coordinated by the Wyandanch Community Based Neighborhood Watch, which is sponsored by the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc.’s Weed and Seed program.

Local officials and organizations are expected to attend. In addition to food and music, there will be giveaways including backpacks and bicycles, along with activities for kids such as face painting. A basketball tournament and karate demonstration are also planned.

The Wyandanch Volunteer Fire Company is expected to give out smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as operate a “smoke house” to teach children how to get out of their houses safely during a fire. In addition, the Suffolk County Police Explorers will be providing child photo Identifications.